Embracing Buddhism, Ambedkar set an example

TIMES NEWS NETWORK, APRIL 14, 2005

AHMEDABAD, India -- Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said that Babasaheb Ambedkar, by embracing Buddhism, set an example of protecting the social fabric and integrity and unity of India.

<< Babasaheb Ambedkar

"Although opposed to the evils of Hindu society, Ambedkar was not prepared to be lured by Christianity and Islam. Instead, he preferred Buddhism, a religion founded in India," Modi said.

Modi said this during a function held after the unveiling of Ambedkar's statue at Dholka on the occasion of his 114th birth anniversary. The occasion was celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the state. Modi also laid the foundation of Ambedkar Bhavan at the taluka town where state agriculture minister, Bhupendrasinh Chudasma, was felicitated by the local Dalit organisations for the services he has rendered for the weaker sections of the region in past 25 years.

While paying rich tributes to Ambedkar, the chief minister said that Babasaheb was a great leader who had fought relentlessly for the welfare of the downtrodden in the society and has earned a name for himself in the galaxy of world leaders.

Modi and other leaders, including social welfare minister, Ramanlal Vora and Fakirbhai Waghela, the deputy chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes paid floral tributes at Ambedkar's statue in Gandhinagar.

State assembly speaker,Mangalbhai Patel, and revenue minister, Kaushik Patel, garlanded the oil painting of Ambedkar at the precincts of the assembly in Gandhinagar.